MUSIC
Here’s my list in no particular order though I often alphabetically group the LP’s because that made sense to me.

At times shiny and quirky while other times uncomfortable and buzzy; always satisfying and intriguing. I know what you’re asking, this grouping makes no sense… hey, it’s my list.

Amen Dunes – Freedom

Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour

Mitski – Be the Cowboy

US Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

World got you on edge? Feeling anxious, angry, confused and ready to act up? You are not alone and you are right. I may have the antidote or at least the accompanying soundtrack. A bit of raw, post-puck, electronic noise-rock, blah, blah – labels – hah!

Fucked Up – Does Your Dreams

Idles – Joy As An Act Of Resistance

Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!

Shame – Songs of Praise

The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

Sure the sound can be retro, jangly Neil Young/Byrds and a bit samey at times BUT it gets my foot tapping, makes me feel swoony, & basically I start grooving. Yes, it’s a master class in multi-tracking that would make Jeff Lynne or Tom Scholz green with envy, and that’s just fine with me.

Israel Nash – Lifted

Sure, just from the concept, song construction and theme behind this album I was ready to love it still it exceeded my expectations. It tears me up – in both senses of the word.

Mary Gauthier – Rifles & Rosary Beads

At times sparse then just enough layered fuzz, strings, harmonies distortion, etc and an omnipresent rhythm section driving and soaring to match the sometimes plain yet always poignant lyrics making each song magic.

Lucy Dacus – Historian

Soccer Mommy – Clean

Snail Mail – Lush

Complex, orchestral, jazzish compositions and although challenging at times in their seeming… meandering, well worth investing time unpeeling and exploring. Akin to a soundtrack to a Bjorkish fairlyland struggling with it’s identity. Huh?

Julia Holter – Aviary

MUSIC – HONORABLE MENTION

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Beach House – 7

The Beths – Future Me Hates Me

Brandy Carlile – By The Way, I Forgive You

Film School – Bright To Death

First Aid Kit – Ruins

Iceage – Beyondless

John Coltrane – Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album

Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth

Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics

Superchunk – What A Time To Be Alive

MOST GLORIOUS MUSIC/BOOK of 2018Dead Moon – Book & Album * Eric and Mississippi Records created an absolute gem, a magnificent labour of love that this seminal band truly deserved. RIP Fred.

MOVIESUnfortunately I have a long list to see (Roma, The Favourite, Sorry To Bother You, etc) and therefore there’s not much to offer here except to observe – the top twenty+ grossing films of 2018 – straight up meh to bleh! I’m talking to you Black Panther, Incredibles 2, Avengers: Everyone Dies, Deadpool 2, ad nauseum.

PODCASTS
Slow Burn, Guardian: Today In Focus, The End Of The World, Serial: Season 3, 16 Shots, On The Media, Trump Inc., Deconstructed